Guitar Players and Gear

Wilson’s version is one of my favorites and a more recent example of how the song can be adapted to a more contemporary style. The version he plays is actually an acoustic loop, where he uses a Boss RC-30 Looper to play several different segments at once.

My Line 6 does alright with the acoustic signal, but I still have feedback problems if I’m not careful.

Amazing Grace Chords and Lyrics: Simple Hymnal Version

If you just want to learn the bass line or the chord progression, it’s quite easy.

We’ll list the entire song here along with all lyrics and corresponding “Amazing Grace” guitar chords.

Though the song can be played in the key of one’s choosing, I’m going to provide chords in the key of D, which can be easily played without a capo.

Tuning:E - A - D - G - B - EVERSE I
D G D
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
D A
that saved a wretch like me
D G D
I one was lost, but now I'm found
D A D
was blind, but now I see.
VERSE II

D G D
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
D A
And grace my fears relieved.
D G
How precious did that grace appear
D A D
The hour I first believed.

VERSE III

D G D
Through many dangers, toils and snares
D A
I have already come,
D G D
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
D A D
And grace will lead me home.
VERSE IV
D G D
The Lord has promised good to me
D A
His word my hope secures;
D G D
He will my shield and portion be,
D A D
As long as life endures.
VERSE V
D G D
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
D A
And mortal life shall cease
D G D
I shall possess within the veil,
D A D
A life of joy and peace.
VERSE VI
D G D
When we've been there ten thousand years
D A
Bright shining as the sun,
D G D
We've no less days to sing God's praise
D A D
Than when we've first begun.

Note that most versions of this song omit the third, fourth and fifth verses, which helps cut down on the monotony of having six verses in a song.

You can also see that the chord progression is simply D – G – A throughout each stanza.

Though these chords should be easily understood, we’ve included tab diagrams of the specific fingerings that are most commonly used. I’ve added an option for standard tuning, open D and drop D, since the song is in the key of D.

For the record, I find that playing this song in drop D is a preferable tuning.

Bridge: Part I

Like the harmonics we covered earlier, the bridge is another portion of this song that is unique to Wilson’s version, so learning it isn’t necessary unless you really want to dig in and figure out his track specifically.

You’ll need to listen to the song to figure out the timing, since it begins with a rhythmic pattern on the fifth string while the low open D serves as the chord’s anchor.

Want to learn more songs?

But all too often we’re left with incomplete, incorrect and generally unhelpful material when it comes to actually learning songs on the guitar.

But there is a great method for learning songs the right way.

We’d recommend giving Guitar Tricks 14-day free trial a test run, since they have a massive library of songs where professional instructors take you through each segment step-by-step. There’s more material available then you could ever possibly get through.